Škoda 706 RTO

Škoda 706 RTO
Škoda 706 RTO MTZ
Type	Urban bus (MTZ/MEX) Inercity bus (KAR) Coach bus (LUX)
Manifacturer	Karosa Jelcz
Production	1956 - 1972 (Czechoslovakia) 1958 - 1986 (Poland)
Body material	Stalinium, Karosirium
Body Style	2-door urban bus 2-door intercity bus 1-door coach bus
Engine	Škoda 706 (117 kW)
Layout	Mid engine, rear-wheel drive
Curb weight	many tons
Predcessor	Škoda 706 RO
Successor	Karosa ŠM/ŠL/ŠD 11

The Škoda 706 RTO—a masterpiece of Czechoslovak bus engineering, where the letters RTO might as well have stood for "Rekonstruovaný Trambusový Omyl" (Reconstructed Trambus Mistake). While that’s not the official definition, it certainly felt appropriate at times. The real meaning? Rámový Trambusový Osobní (Framed Truck Bus for Passengers), because apparently, just sticking a bus body on a truck frame seemed like a good idea in the 1950s. This beast hit the roads from 1956 to 1972, becoming the backbone of public transportation across Czechoslovakia. But the story didn’t end there! Oh no, it continued its triumph—this time in Poland, where it was produced under the Jelcz license from 1958 all the way until 1986. That's right, the Poles held onto the RTO until the mid-80s, believing this boxy beauty had more to give. Clearly, both nations had a deep affection for this clunky warhorse—or perhaps they just couldn't face the idea of a world without its bone-rattling charm.

Development

The Škoda 706 RTO was a true symbol of post-war Czechoslovak ingenuity—or desperation, depending on how you look at it. In their quest for a quick solution to the growing demand for public transportation, the engineers took what they already had: the bones of a modified pre-war truck, threw a curveball at it (literally), and called it a bus. The result? A machine that looked more like an industrial appliance than a streamlined vehicle. Let’s not mince words here—its rounded body, which was supposed to represent "modern" design, made the bus resemble nothing less than a gigantic snap-on vibrator on wheels. But hey, as they say, form follows function... or at least it did back then.

The RTO’s highly rounded body was no accident. This bus was designed to look welcoming, maybe even futuristic by 1950s standards, with its bubbly, rounded front that seemed to smile at passengers as they approached (or leer, depending on how long you'd been waiting at the bus stop). The designers aimed for a look that was bold, new, and "streamlined," though it’s safe to assume they weren’t aware of the more risqué visual comparisons it would later inspire.

But under that smooth, curvaceous exterior, the RTO was essentially still a pre-war truck, clinging to its rugged roots. It was simple, practical, and built to survive anything from rough roads to questionable maintenance. The rounded shape wasn’t just for show either—it offered surprisingly good aerodynamics for its time, which was quite the feat considering it was mounted on a glorified lorry.

The RTO became the jack-of-all-trades for public transportation, hauling everything from weary commuters to tourists, and maybe even a few reluctant passengers who were slightly unnerved by the vehicle’s…let's say, intimate design. Despite its unique appearance, it quickly became a staple in Eastern Bloc cities and beyond, where it was loved (or tolerated) for its reliability, not its looks. The bus ran for decades, proving that you could dress a truck up like a sex toy and it would still get the job done.

Variants:

Škoda 706 RTO MEX looks exactly same as 706 MTZ

• 706 RTO MTZ (Městský Tuzemský) – The domestic city version was all about moving people quickly and efficiently (well, as efficiently as a round-bodied, mid-engine bus could). It came equipped with two sets of hydraulic doors, giving passengers the feeling that they were boarding a bus that meant business—except when the hydraulics occasionally decided to take a break, leaving everyone awkwardly stuck in a door jam. But hey, at least it had two doors, which helped with the slow shuffle of city commuters.
• 706 RTO MEX (Městský Exportní) – The export city version also boasted two sets of hydraulic doors, because why not let international passengers enjoy the same hydraulic drama as the Czechoslovak locals? Whether you were in Budapest, Sofia, or some other Eastern Bloc capital, you too could experience the thrill of hydraulics hissing open and closed, giving you just enough time to wonder if you’d make it through in one piece. Efficiency at its finest, exported globally.
  

  RTO KAR
• 706 RTO KAR (Meziměstský) – The intercity version scaled things down with just one set of hydraulic doors, because, apparently, if you’re traveling between towns, you don’t need too many options to get on or off. This design encouraged passengers to enjoy their trip a little longer while they waited in line to exit through the lone hydraulic portal. The KAR may not have been in a rush, but it got you there eventually, one door at a time.
  

  RTO LUX is very stylish...
• 706 RTO LUX – The long-distance luxury model took a more hands-on approach with just one manually operated door. That’s right, in the world of the LUX, if you wanted to get in or out, someone had to physically open the door. Because nothing says "luxury travel" like the charm of manually-operated doors. It was almost like a throwback to simpler times, adding a personal touch to the journey (and possibly a workout for the driver).

Production

The Škoda 706 RTO was like the Elvis Presley of buses—beloved, iconic, and eventually a little outdated. While Czechoslovakia was jamming to the tunes of progress and bus evolution, they couldn’t help but notice that their once-revolutionary RTO was beginning to look more like a relic from a bygone era. By 1972, the Czechoslovak engineers finally had to admit the truth: the curvy, truck-based RTO had hit the end of the road. It had faithfully served the masses, yes, but with each passing year, it was starting to look less like a futuristic marvel and more like a leftover from a 1950s sci-fi set.

So, the RTO was gracefully retired, or at least as gracefully as you can retire a bus that resembled a gigantic, rolling kitchen appliance. It was a bittersweet moment. Sure, there were newer, slicker, more modern buses ready to take over, but none of them had the same voluptuous charm or the peculiar charisma of the RTO. In Czechoslovakia, this was the end of an era.

However, while Czechoslovakia was moving on, Poland was just getting started. Over in the land of pierogi and vodka, the RTO was still chugging along happily, with Polish engineers under the Jelcz brand continuing to produce the bus as if it were the greatest gift to transportation mankind had ever seen. The Poles kept the RTO alive for an additional 14 years, stretching its lifespan all the way to 1986. That's right—while the world was rocking out to "Top Gun" and embracing the dawn of the computer age, Poland was still proudly producing a bus whose design dated back to the era of black-and-white televisions.

It was as if Poland had collectively decided that the RTO wasn’t just a bus—it was a way of life. They clung to its rounded, retro charm like a national treasure, completely unbothered by the fact that newer bus designs were offering smoother rides, better fuel efficiency, and more doors that didn’t require hydraulic hissing every time they opened. The Polish Jelcz RTO was a living fossil, stubbornly rattling along the streets as if to say, “Who needs modernity when you’ve got style?”

But by 1986, even Poland had to face the inevitable. The RTO was, by this point, not just outdated—it was practically prehistoric. While Czechoslovakia had already replaced it with newer models and technology, Poland reluctantly put the RTO to rest, marking the end of a glorious, if somewhat prolonged, chapter in Eastern European bus history. It had outlived its original expectations by decades, transitioning from a cutting-edge people-mover to a beloved, oversized nostalgia machine. Today, those who rode the Polish RTOs likely look back on them with a mix of affection and mild disbelief that these buses were still on the road during the era of MTV and Walkmans.

Service use

RTO's MTZ or MEX in Prague, 1960s, notice Karosa ŠM 11 in the middle and some Ikarus (the red one)

The Škoda 706 RTO saw a long and storied service life, but not without its ups and downs—much like an aging rock band that refuses to retire. The city buses (MTZ and MEX), the workhorses of urban public transport, gradually phased out by the late 1970s to mid-1980s. Their mid-engine design and hydraulic door hiss slowly became relics of a bygone era, making way for newer, more efficient buses that weren’t as prone to getting stuck in traffic jams or looking like they were auditioning for a retro-futuristic movie.

But the intercity versions (KAR) held on a bit longer, proving that these round-bodied machines could handle more than just short urban trips. By the late 1980s, even these brave warriors were winding down their operations, especially in Czechoslovakia, where modernization had finally caught up. However, the Polish Jelcz variants—well, that’s a different story. They seemed to thrive in the post-apocalyptic reality of Eastern European bus manufacturing, outlasting even the Velvet Revolution and making it well into the early 1990s.

There’s even the legendary story of one particular Jelcz 043 (the Polish KAR variant, registered KI 56-53), which was still seen plying the streets after 1993, much to the disbelief of anyone who thought these buses had all long since retired. It was a testament to Polish engineering stubbornness (or perhaps ingenuity?) that this beast of a bus continued to chug along regular routes long after the world had moved on.

But the story doesn’t end in Europe. The 706 RTO was such a worldwide sensation that it found itself exported to places as far-flung as China and North Korea, adding to the global appeal of this bulbous, mid-century marvel. In North Korea, who knows—there may still be one or two of these things rattling through the streets today, ferrying passengers in a country that seems like it would appreciate the timelessness of the RTO’s aesthetic.

And let’s not forget the LUX version—Škoda’s luxury model. It wasn’t just any bus; it had its moment of glory at the Brussels Expo in 1958, where it wowed audiences with its sleek (for the time) design and one manually operated door. The LUX model was the darling of the event, proving that even a utilitarian people-mover could be dressed up for a special occasion. It was a brief but glorious chapter in the history of the RTO, demonstrating that sometimes, even buses deserve to be celebrated on the world stage.

Specs (706 RTO KAR)

Dimensions

• Length: 35 ft 7 in – Long enough to get stuck in narrow streets, making every tight turn an adventure. Or a minor catastrophe, depending on your optimism.
• Width: 8 ft 2 in – Narrow enough to remind you that personal space was a luxury in the Eastern Bloc, but just wide enough to clip the occasional tree branch.
• Height: 10 ft 4 in – Tall enough to give you a commanding view of the world as you lurch forward, but short enough that you won’t be scraping the roof off in tunnels. Most of the time.
• Wheelbase: 17 ft 10 in – Just the right distance between the wheels to maximize the "bounce" effect on cobblestones, giving passengers a free spine adjustment with every ride.
• Weight (Empty): 19,400 lbs – A true heavyweight champion, making it not only a bus but also a mobile traffic jam creator.
• Gross Weight: 30,865 lbs – Fully loaded, it’s carrying more weight than your average American diner after an all-you-can-eat special.

Engine

• Engine Type: Škoda 706 RT inline-six diesel – The kind of engine that growls like a bear waking up from hibernation. You won’t sneak up on anyone with this thing.
• Displacement: 718 cubic inches – That’s right, bigger than some pickup trucks, but with a fraction of the horsepower because life is about balance.
• Power Output: 158 hp at 1,900 RPM – Enough to make it feel like it’s accelerating… eventually. Suitable for those who enjoy leisurely climbs up hills.
• Torque: 506 lb⋅ft at 1,200 RPM – More twist than a Czech pretzel. But just like that pretzel, it’s mostly for show.
• Top Speed: 53 mph – Wind-in-your-hair slow-motion excitement. Perfect for making sure you’re not breaking any speed limits on the autobahn. Or any other road, really.

Transmission

• Type: Five-speed manual – For those who believe driving should be a full-body workout. Bonus points if you can shift while negotiating a roundabout.
• Clutch: Foot-operated, requiring the leg strength of a weightlifter. It's like doing squats but without the gym membership.
• Reverse Gear: Yes, it has one. Because occasionally, you’ll need to back out of the poor life choices that led you to drive this thing in the first place.

Suspension

• Front Axle: Solid, with leaf springs – Imagine driving a truck and a park bench simultaneously. That’s about the level of comfort here.
• Rear Axle: Solid, also with leaf springs – Ensuring that every bump and pothole is shared equally among all passengers. Solidarity in discomfort.
• Ride Quality: Non-existent. If you want comfort, buy a pillow or just stay home.

Brakes

• Type: Drum brakes on all wheels – Because discs are for sissies, and locking up a few wheels here and there keeps things interesting.
• Operation: Air-pressure assisted, but don’t get too confident. The stopping distance is more of a suggestion than a hard rule.

Tires

• Size: 11.00-20 – Large enough to make changing them a chore and small enough to remind you this isn’t some luxury motor coach.
• Pressure: 73-87 psi – If you’re lucky, you’ll get them all inflated evenly. But when has life ever been that fair?

Fuel Consumption

• Consumption: 30-35 liters per 100 km (6.7-7.8 mpg) – It’s thirsty, like a college student during Oktoberfest. Don’t expect to save on fuel with this beast.
• Tank Capacity: 150 liters (40 gallons) – Enough to get you from nowhere to somewhere, with a few stops to refuel your wallet.

Interior

• Seating Capacity: 40-48 seats – Hard-backed for your discomfort, making you appreciate modern padded bus seats like never before.
• Standing Room: Enough to pack in 20-30 more unlucky souls. It’s the true experience of "public" transportation.
• Aesthetic: Worn-out vinyl and wood paneling—bringing you all the charm of your grandparent’s basement.

Legacy

After their official retirement from regular transit duty in the '80s and '90s, most of these buses were scrapped or relegated to backyards as makeshift storage sheds. But for a few lucky survivors, they found a second life with museums, private collectors, and, of course, šotouši. This group of bus and train spotters elevates transportation nostalgia to near-absurd levels. When a 706 RTO rolls down the road today, you can bet there will be a handful of šotouši chasing it down like paparazzi after a celebrity.

Their love for the RTO isn't just casual admiration—it borders on obsession. To see one of these relics in action can trigger a level of excitement usually reserved for religious experiences, rock concerts, or other less, shall we say, "family-friendly" activities. It’s not hard to imagine some of them getting so worked up over the sight of a perfectly restored RTO that they'd practically… well, lose control in the most literal sense. The sheer euphoria brought on by the sight of those rounded curves and that chugging diesel engine can send them into what could only be described as a transit-induced ecstasy.

The Gym Membership You Didn't Know You Needed

In the hands of modern-day enthusiasts, the 706 RTO is more than a preserved vehicle—it’s a challenge. Driving it is not for the weak or the pampered. It’s a 30,000-pound beast with manual steering, a heavy clutch, and a gearbox that requires arm strength rivaling that of a competitive rower. For Czech drivers, it's a grueling workout on wheels, while for American drivers—who might be more accustomed to cushy automatic cars—it would be a one-way ticket to the emergency room. The 706 RTO isn’t just a bus; it’s a workout program that delivers biceps and sweat in equal measure.

The Shape that Launched a Thousand Snickers

As for its iconic shape, the RTO has earned a few nicknames over the years, like "cucumber" and "dumpling," thanks to its bulbous, rounded body. But those familiar terms only scratch the surface of its rather unique appearance. Let’s face it, this bus looks more like a giant… let’s say “personal massager” on wheels than an actual mode of transport. That shape, so endearingly un-aerodynamic, seems to captivate šotouši like nothing else. They lovingly photograph its every curve and angle with a fervor that suggests they're more than just bus fans—they’re practically in love.

The Final Verdict: A Rolling Relic

The Škoda 706 RTO may no longer be a common sight on public roads, but its legacy lives on through the unwavering devotion of šotouši, collectors, and museums who keep it alive. It's not just a piece of history; it's an experience—one that stirs up emotions (and other reactions) that are perhaps a bit stronger than one might expect from a bus. Whether it’s capturing a šotouš’s heart—or… other things—the RTO’s place in the annals of transportation history is undeniably secured.

  Comprehensive Automotive Reference Source